The biggest concern with any piercing is the risk of infection. The new piercing can become infected easily if it isn't cared for properly. Signs of infection include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Pain
• Pus leaking from the piercing

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your health care provider right away. 

Dirty needles can spread serious infections, like hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection. HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease that prevents your body from fighting off other infections. Both hepatitis and HIV can be passed along through bodily fluids. This means that you can get infected from a dirty needle, and you can pass that infection along to your baby.

Be sure the piercer follows all safety guidelines:

• The piercing studio should have a machine, called an autoclave, to sterilize its piercing instruments.
• The studio should be clean.
• The piercer should wear gloves.
• Bandages, needles and jewelry should all be sterile, new, and unopened.

Tell your piercer that you're pregnant. Be sure you will be able to contact him or her if you have any problems after getting the piercing.

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a special concern for women with nipple piercings. Some women lose sensitivity in the nipple after a piercing. This can affect breastfeeding and the flow of milk to the area just behind your nipple.

The main risk to the baby is nipple jewelry. For example, barbell jewelry can come apart during breastfeeding and may cause the baby to choke. The hard metal can also be rough on a baby's mouth. The lips, tongue and gums could be bruised. The baby's tiny mouth may also have trouble fastening onto the nipple if the jewelry is in the way.

When jewelry is removed from the piercing, some women report that breast milk sometimes leaks through the hole.

January 2007